Turning an Antique Potato Crate into a Raised Garden Bed
Good morning, everyone.
I just got back from my trail walk, something I’ve been trying to incorporate into my daily routine. So far, I’m on day five of four-mile trail walks. It’s always the weekend that put a stopper in my good habits 😉 It looks like it’s about to rain today, which will be nice since the grass around here is still fighting for its greenery. Before I dive into the next planting project, I thought I’d take a few hours this morning to write about the potato crate garden I created. I shared a photo on Instagram, and the requests for a blog post on the tutorial were high, so I hope you all enjoy and get inspired to turn something you find at an antique store into a garden bed.
A few weeks ago, I took a trip to the Depot at Gibson Mill to look for a few items for the guest bedroom. There is a little spot in the Gibson Mill called the “The Gilded Cottage,” and I am in love with it. I usually spend a while in this section and always leave with some new goodies. This time, I found several ceramic pots that look like woven baskets. I also picked up a picnic basket that has two spots for wine. I thought it would be so cute to take to the beach, a summer lawn concert, or down by the river for a picnic. I was excited when I found an old potato crate for $10! I knew right away I was going to turn it into a mini garden.
I picked out a few pots of vegetables to go into my garden at Lowes on my way home from Gibson Mill. I’m always an ignorer of “spacing” rules when it comes to planting, and so far, I haven’t had issues yet. I picked out some dwarf tomato plants, romaine lettuce, butter lettuce, spinach, jalapenos, and a few other plants that I planted in separate pots. Most of my lettuce plants went into the crate. I picked up a few packets of seeds to throw into the crate as well. For the soil, I used the Harvest Organics all-purpose planting soil. You can use potting soil if you’d like, but I’ve never had issues using the in-ground soil in my pots. We have super humid weather in the south, and the man at Lowes said that sometimes in-ground soil helps with the plants drying out. I guess only time will tell.
I picked up chives, spinach, carrots, and broccoli seeds to plant as well. I threw the chives in with the crate vegetables but added the others to separate pots. I’ll have to do an update on those soon. The carrots are already sprouting, which is so awesome.
When you’re working with a crate, you can’t just throw in the dirt. Otherwise, it’ll fall out of the edges. I used some landscaping fabric we had lying around the house and taped it to the sides before adding in the dirt. It held up well, and all of the soil has stayed in the crate nicely.
I filled my garden up with soil and then planted in the lettuce, jalapeno plant, dill, mini cucumber plant, and dwarf tomatoes. I also threw in some chive seeds.
I’m keeping them in direct sunlight.
Since our backyard is fenced, I won’t have to worry about any deer coming in for a snack. You may want to wrap yours with a wire if deer are an issue in your area. It’s been two weeks, and so far, there haven’t been any bunny tracks 🤞 Although, I don’t think I’d be mad if I saw a bunny eating my lettuce. They’re just too darn cute.
After a week, the chive sprouts have begun to come up!
I was surprised at how big, and full everything was after only a few days.
It’s always fun to check in on the garden every morning. People keep sending me the meme of baby Yoda checking on plants, and that’s me! I make my coffee, let the dogs out, and walk around the house clipping, deadheading, and taking photos.
Last night, I cut up some butter lettuce and romaine for my salad! It’s fun to be able to eat something from your backyard! ♥️
I hope you all have a fantastic day. I’m heading out to do a fun DIY 4th of July flower pot. I’ll make sure to capture step by step photos just in case! ♥️
Questions for you!
- Do you have a raised garden bed in your yard?
- What is your favorite vegetable to grow?
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog says
It looks so good! I’ve said it before, but you really have a knack for design and DIY! ❤️✨
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Taralynn McNitt says
Thanks, Charmaine!! ♥️
Ellen says
Has your romaine not bolted yet? The heat finally got to my lettuce, but I’m further south in SC. If you want spinach there is a variety called malabar spinach that is suppose to do well in the summer heat 🙂
I love gardening and am currently trying to find the easiest low maintenance crops for my zone. My favorite to grow so far has to be a tie between sweet potatoes and any peppers this year my shishitoes are doing the best!
Thanks for the great post!!
Taralynn McNitt says
So far my romaine has been thriving! 🤞
I’d love to try growing sweet potatoes!
Brooklyn says
This is so cute! I live in a tiny studio apartment with no room to grow anything (I’ve tried, the birds eat whatever I grow off my balcony haha) so I’m basically living vicariously through you for all things gardening, and I’m loving it!
http://Www.justbeingbrooklyn.com
Taralynn McNitt says
Awwww at least you’ve contributed to some hungry birds 😆
Katie says
How cute is this!
Taralynn McNitt says
Thanks, Katie 😊
Karen Mulkeen says
I’ve been square-foot gardening for about 15 years now. But I love your idea with the baskets. I’ll be looking for some ideas for friends who have little space for a regular garden
Taralynn McNitt says
Wow, I bet your garden is amazing!
Kelsey W. says
I love this idea, it looks great! My dad built me a raised bed last year and I LOVE it. After some trial and error, this year’s garden is much different than last year. My favorite thing to grow is shishito peppers! I have two plants and they yield lots of peppers every few days so I’m always in stock. They are the easiest thing I grow and they never seem to be affected by bugs or wildlife. I know you’re a shishito fan too, you should definitely get some! Instead of starting from seed I just bought the plants from Lowe’s. I hope you have a great weekend 🙂 xoxo Kelsey
Taralynn McNitt says
Love how you’re embracing the trial and error! The best way to learn in life 😊
ohhhh you can send all the shishito peppers my way!!
Kate says
I love this idea. Do you water every day?
Taralynn McNitt says
They get the morning sprinkler 😊 But if it’s a super hot day, I’ll give them a little extra!
Karine says
Hello Taralynn,
I have five garden beds like that and it’s a blast. Zucchini are going pretty well…and we just bought raspberries, hoping it will work ❤️.
Taralynn McNitt says
That is awesome! I’m also hoping my raspberries do well!!
Rebecca says
This is a great idea and the growth in just a week is amazing! I am enjoying all your garden updates, I am trying to keep some houseplants alive first before I venture more outdoors!
Taralynn McNitt says
Thanks, Rebecca!
House plants can be tricky! 😂
Jessie Blucker says
I love my raised garden bed I tried to grow several new things this year and not having the best of luck I need to figure out an insecticide and recommendations my homemade one is not working ?
Taralynn McNitt says
Hmmmmm!
I know there are a few essential oils that can help like lemongrass but I’ll have to look more into it for you!
Sarah says
We built a raised bed last year and I am obsessed with it! I love all of my veggies! We mostly planted tomato and peppers. We learned last year that zucchini and mint plants take over gardens! I am loving reading about your gardening projects! I love your outfit too! where is that skirt from?
Taralynn McNitt says
Thank you, Sarah! Mint spreads like crazy!!
& that skirt is Who What Wear from Tjmaxx!
Lanie says
We moved to the same area and I am so glad I found your blog, it’s giving me so much inspiration on gardening for our home (I think we have the same model!). I love this idea – my son is 8 and really wants to grow his own fruit and veg, so that’s been the plan for awhile. We also want to plant some flowers since as you know the builder-grade stuff can be pretty uninspiring at best!!! Your hydrangeas are gorgeous, I want some!!